Friends on The other side

Flash was glad to finally be home with his girls. They were enjoying a simple dinner as the girls kept trying to ask him what had happened while he was there. He tried to keep it to just him having a chat with Light. “Don’t get too excited girls. In a couple of days, you’ll see Uncle Light.”

“Did somepony mention my name?” The girls turned around to see Light walking in, soaking wet, but still there.

Both of the girls leaped from their seats and hugged Light Heart. “Uncle Light! You’re here!” They both yelled in unison.

“Good, I thought I was having an out of body experience.” Light quipped.

Flash was confused but happy to see Light there. “Why have you come back so soon?” He asked while trying to find a 4th pillow for Light to sit on to join them on the cloth that was laid on the floor like a picnic blanket.

“Well, apparently Twilight is trying to make peace with MoonRacer, and Surprise doesn’t want it. Book didn’t help at all with it, but Kirouac is still interested in helping build relations with your nation. Twilight had requested for me to bring you and any officials here to come to her castle and talk with a bunch of princesses and other national rulers.” Light explained.

“Oh really!?” The young girls said in unison.

“Yeah, we’d be leaving tomorrow, meaning that you two would have to come with us. So I guess that I’ll have to watch you two while this is all going on.” Light said with a smile.

The girls looked at their dad, excited for the chance to go to Ponyville sooner than planned. “Oh. Please, please say yes.” They both pleaded.

“Umm... Let me think.” Flash tried to think of what would be the most consistent ruler in a town that has elected officials instead of royals.

“Listen, we don’t need you all to elect a king or anything, just pick who’s in charge now and we can show them how things run here. They won’t mind.” Light said confidently. “Either way, Twilight also wants you there because you know the most about Ponyville and Equestria.”

Flash tried to think of who was at the town meetings the most often, was the most involved, organized and was the best to find a compromise. “Well... C.D.O. Would be the closest we have to a ruler. I can’t recall ever seeing nor knowing a meeting that he wasn’t there for, nor one that he hadn’t been a part in the help of having that issues settled.”

“C.D.O? Can you help me out here.” Light asked, feeling bad that he couldn’t remember all of the names of the ponies there.

Flash chuckled a little bit. “Don’t worry, it’s fine.” He thought about it. “From what I recall, Twilight would get along with him. They are both O.C.D.s, hence the name that the town gave him.” Flash tried to recall C.D.O.’s birth name but didn’t know it by heart.

“Well, if this brings us to a place where we can be at peace, it’s good enough for me.” Light said with a smile.

Flash nodded. As he noticed the downpour outside and was worried about what could happen to Light if he tried walking home “Are you staying for dinner, and to sleep?”

Light heard a crack of thunder and nodded. “I’m sure not walking home tonight.”

Flash made some room so that Light was sitting on the of their side of the cloth on the floor.

As Lightheart sat with the others to eat on the floor, a beam of light was blown in the living room. The sudden flash madeFlashTruth and Light to run there as the girls ran to their room in fear to hide. The two grown-up stallions saw Book wounded and wet, dripping water and blood all over the floor.

“What happened to you?” Light Heart asked his brother.

“Mephist tricked me, now I am a fugitive,” Book said, exhausted. “He’s going after Starlight, and possibly all of the national leaders. They’re starting a war, and Surprise is his tool to make it happen.”

“Why?” Light asked in fear. He thought that Book was just throwing theories around, but now his blood and the nodding of FlashTruth was telling him that this wasn’t paranoia anymore.

“Starlight sold her soul to him for that time-traveling spell. I’ve had some research done, and apparently, there was no knowledge of Starswirl’s spell being able to go that far back in time until Starlight used it. He’s even using Fuze to try to kill Trixie.” Book explained as he coughed up some blood.

Light’s eyes widened as his little brother was dragged into this. “I thought those two were falling in love?”

Book shrugged “The doctor gave him a love potion, but it’s poisonous. I sent a sample to Princess Luna, but I fear that it might have been intercepted. As for Fuze’s real feelings for her… I don’t know.”

Flash reassured both brothers that their youngest’s love was real. “I’m magically unable to lie. It’s the curse of my truth seeing abilities. I can tell you that your brother loves Trixie. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to say it.”

Light sat down as he tried to process this. “W-Well, we could have Flash tell them what happened. This dude can’t lie, even if he wanted to.”

Book shook his head. “With Surprise’s changeling abilities unlocked, he could easily take his place or twist things around. Mephist has planned this from the start. I… I need to get ahead of him and warn Starlight.”

As Book tried to stand up, he only managed to move a few steps before falling. Light quickly caught him before he hit the floor. “You’re a wanted pony, and you don’t have enough energy to get in there and teleport out.” Light’s eyes turned to Flash. “We need a place to hide him, preferably a place where he can get medical help.”

“We could bring him to the town’s Hospital!” Flash suggested. “It holds the knowledge of Healthcare from every country and race!”

Light bit his lip a bit. “I’ve seen that hospital and was a patient in it for a while. Not the best place to go.”

Flash was taken aback by his friend’s comment but accepted the fact that not even they were perfect.

“No offense, but it isn’t up to date. You do remember how long it took before the decision not to amputate my leg, and that was because one doctor wanted to try a new technique.” Light explained.

“Ya.. Sorry about that.” Fash.. Both winced and blushed. “She is always trying to get every patient to get mechanical limbs.”

“I still remember you saying that the reason they shot that idea down was that I’m an alicorn.” Light said, rolling his eyes.

“They thought you were the princess’s long lost son.” Flash laughed. “And it wouldn’t be a good idea to.. Take away any part of her child.” He finished, thinking of what we would do to anyone or anypony that would everything think of harming a hair on his daughters’ mane.

“I’ve got a long list of theories about me.” Light said while sighing.

Book shook his head. “I did a sensor-based teleportation spell on Light so I could get here. I figured that this would be the last place they’d think to look for me, but with the doctor and Surprise looking for me, I can’t leave a trail. I need a place where nopony can find or trace me. So no public doctors who Surprise could question.”

“I know someone,” FastFox told her dad, “He’s a friend of mine, he’s a doctor!”

“How much do you trust him?” Book asked. “Will he keep this secret?”

“He saved me once, and he never leaves the forest.” FastFox told as she was worried about her father’s reaction, “His name is Black Shield.”

As Book coughed up more blood Light quickly spoke up. “Let’s do it! We don’t have much time. We’ll take this armor off when we get there.”

FastFox nodded and she took Book, Light, her father, and her sister out of the town towards the forgotten forest, leading them through a hall of trees. Book noticed that the trees were marked in red hoof print that belonged to a big pony, probably in the size of Big Mac’s. The group arrived towards a cave with a wooden door on it. Fast knocked on the door with all of her power.

“Black, It’s me!” Fast called for her friend, the group heard heavy hoof stamps and the door opened, revealing a large grey stallion earth pony. One of his eyes was brown and the other one was grey and scarred. He had no mane, but he had a brown beard and tail, and he had an axe on his back.

Flash placed both of his daughters behind him, but Fast just walked around her father. “Hey, we need help!”

“What are you doing here?” Black shield asked them, and he saw the wounded warrior, “Get him inside, Now!” The group did as the stallion told them and they entered. As they walked inside Book noticed an old picture of Black Shield in his young age, with a full brown mane. Next to him was a unicorn mare, pink with a blue mane, and in the middle was a unicorn child, a small colt that had his mother purple eyes, and his father’s brown mane. Black Shield cleared the table off, allowing Light put Book on it.

Light quickly helped remove the armor, having helped design it. He was shocked to see how much damage was done. Somehow Surprise had found every exposed part and turned it against Book. Light knew that it would have taken changing abilities to get to these parts due to the small size of them.

“What the hay has happened to your child?” Black Shield asked Book as he pushed his hooves on the wound on his chest to keep them from bleeding.

“Long story, and it might be better if you didn’t ask,” Book said as Light took off his mask, allowing a puddle of blood to flow out of it.

“Alicorn, do you know how to sow?” Black Shield ask Light as he ran to take water to clean his hooves and the wounds.

“Yeah, stuffed animals are my specialty. But Book always had some doctor whom he kept secret handle it.”

Book coughed more as he tried to speak. “Royal physician in Canterlot, and probably won’t help me now.”

“Now it’s ponies that you’ll be sewing, follow my lead.” Black Shield opened a drawer that was filled with medical needles. “We must face the fatal one before I can move to the others.”

Light took a few deep breaths as he was handed a needle. As he tried to get mentally ready he started to think of the pony responsible. “When I get back to Ponyville, I’m going to kill Mephist!”

Flash’s eyes widened as he realized that Light’s protective nature was kicking in. Even Shy was a bit scared to hear her god-father talk like that, even worse say something like as horrifying as to wish death to someone.

Light glanced to the others, making him realize what he said. “I’m sorry. I’m… I just get… mad whenever the ponies I care about get hurt by some…” Light had to stop talking to keep calm.

Flash patted his friend’s back. “It’s ok.” He reached him, before whispering in his ear. “You don’t want to know what I would do to anyone that would want to even think of hurting one hair on my daughters’ mane.”

“What did you say?” Black shield’s eyes grew as he heard the name of Mephist, “Never mind, take the needle and sew around the wound in the chest, take slow steps and on every part of the rope, sew it three times.”

Light nodded. “Like fixing a torn toy, but more… fleshy.” Light carefully tried to follow his instructions, feeling worse as Book was wincing in pain with every stitch.

After Light finished to sew the wound, Black Shield took a towel and gave it to Book, “Open the mouth,” Book did as he was commanded to, “It seems you got lucky, no broken bones, whoever tried to kill you just moved them from their places.” Black Shield took Book’s left leg and he pushed it back to its place, making Book scream under the towel. After a few minutes, Shield did it again to Book’s right rib and his left arm.

As the towel was removed Book was trying to keep a strong face. “Would you believe me if I said I’ve been in worse condition than this before,” Book asked, gritting his teeth at the pain. “My armor was made to protect from slashing weapons. Surprise just managed to change into animals that could get around it.”

“Now you must sleep,” Black shield told Book as he wrapped the wounds with leaves, “And now, will you tell me what you know about Mephist?

Book raised an eyebrow. “What’s that name to you?”

“The bastard robbed me from everything I love,” Black shield said in anger as he walked away from the table, and he looked at the picture.

Book could tell from his eyes that he was telling the truth. “He’s after Starlight’s soul and is supporting a mad changeling who wants to destroy the nation I’m sworn to protect. He’s currently manipulating the changeling and… my youngest brother.”

“Well, it’s too late to speak, you must sleep.” Black Shield told Book, “Tomorrow I will explain everything. But if he’s manipulating them, then you have no choice but to do what you must.” Black Shield turned to Flash Truth and Light Heart, “He will live, for now, nice finally to meet Fox’s father.” Black Shield took a hoof to shake.

Flash shook Black’s hove. “F.. For the longest time I think you were just her imaginary friend.” He explained.

“If only it was true,” Black shield smiled, “Trust me, I am real.”

Flash was using his Truth-power to make sure that everything was fine, and that he wasn’t a danger to his daughters. “So…” Flash turned to Book and then started to sing a lullaby to him.

Book didn’t want to rest, but his body was fighting against him as he slowly passed out. As Light was sewing up the smaller wounds he sighed a bit. “You never did like painkillers, did you Book?”

“Pain what?” Black asked confused.

“That was his line.” Light said with a grin. “So… who’s the green pony that Book… tried to warn me about.” Light was holding back his tears as he thought about what he could have done to prevent Book from getting hurt in the first place.

“That is Doctor Mephist, the god of the shadows and the soul dealer.” Black shield’s legs trembled when the name of the demon was out of his mouth, “I will explain everything tomorrow morning. Now you just need to finish the last stitches. Can you do it alone?”

Light nodded as he finished them. This was always the nightmare that he had when Book first said that he wanted to be this hero. Light had to accept that Book was hurt because he was alone and nopony believed him when he needed them. Tears ran down Light’s face as he finished. “I’m so sorry Book. I swear that I’ll do everything in my power to fix this.” Light whispered.

Flash patted Light on the back. “You should also take some rest.” He told his friend. “Let’s try to get some sleep at my place, then the first thing in the morning, we can go see how your brother is doing.” He said, finding the place more crowded, and with less room for guests to sleep.

Light nodded, and followed Flash to his home, each of them having one of his daughters on their backs.

“What they have done?” Black Shield watched the ponies leave his cave, “Why did they make a deal with the devil?”

Fuze and Trixie cuddled in the living room’s couch, reading a book about magic tricks as the fire wormed them together. The two looked at each other as the book was forgotten by them and it was thrown aside, and they were scooting closer to one and other, both of their heads tilting on the side before they started to close their eyes for the kiss. The sound of knocking stopped their feelings from being revealed, and Fuze went to open the door to see a blue cop earth pony.

“Is Miss Lulamoon here?” The cop asked.

“Yes,” Fuze answered, “Is there any problem officer?” Trixie heard her name and she walked up towards Fuze, as the cop came in.

“Miss LulaMoon, three days ago you came to our station saying that somepony burned your wagon. Is that correct?” The officer asked.

“Yes,” Trixie answered, “Did you find something?” Trixie asked with a hopeful smile.

“Yes,” The cop answered, and Trixie kissed Fuze on the cheek in happiness of the news, the cop took a paper from his bag and he handed it over to Trixie, “We found a clue in the scene, does this paper look familiar to you?”

“Yes,” Trixie answered, “It looks like the horn writing of Starlight, why?”

“Well, we have a suspicion that the one who wrote it was the one who burned the wagon.” Trixie could not believe her ears, Starlight burned her wagon, her house. Trixie cried on Fuze’s shoulder.

“Do you know why would Miss Glimmer does it?” The officer asked trying to understand.

“I don’t know,” Trixie admitted in defeat. “She’s been one of my best friends here.”

Fuze could tell how upset she was. He knew that trying to talk down about Starlight would only make her feel worse. He felt a little silly when he remembered what Light told him. Sometimes the only thing you can do is fix the problem and move on.

Fuze hugged Trixie. “Don’t worry. I can make you a new cart. I am pretty good at building stuff.”

“Thanks, it does help,” Trixie smiled as she cleaned her tears, “But why would she do such a thing, she couldn’t get jealous, couldn’t she?”

Fuze shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I could talk to her? Maybe a magic spell went wrong and she was scared to tell you.”

“Thank you,” Trixie hugged Fuze, “Yeah, it must be that.”

Fuze smiled a bit, but a part of him was curious about why this would happen. This was before Dr. Mephist came into town, and it didn’t make sense. He did want to keep Trixie’s respect, so he knew that he’d have to keep his emotions in check. He grabbed his raincoat as he walked towards Twilight’s castle.

“Psst..” Fuze heard a voice calling to him, and he turned around to see a shadow calling to him, with a familiar face, “Romeo come here!”

Fuze quickly darted over to him, trying not to be seen. “What’s going on?”

“I heard what happened to the poor whatever her name is, and I came to give you great news!” Mephist smiled as he went out of the Shadows, revealing the alicorn amulet that he wore.

Fuze backed up in fear. “Dude! What are you doing with that thing? Trixie went crazy when she wore that thing!”

“The creator cannot be corrupted by his mind,” Mephist smirked as he moved around Fuze, “And this is mine. Created by my cold hands.”

Fuze felt a little cautious as he questioned him. “So, what’s your good news?”

“Starlight didn’t burn the wagon, it was me!” Mephist smiled to a shocked Fuze.

Fuze’s eyes widened at this. He gritted his teeth as he shoved Mephist against the wall. “Why would you do that?!?”

“To frame Starlight and make her friends abandoned her. Keep up a small pony.” Mephist said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Dude! Do you know what my brother would say about this? He’d say that we’d have to find the truth, not frame them up for a crime they didn’t commit! If Trixie finds out then I’ll be the criminal!” Fuze barked at the green pony.

“I will answer you later,” Mephist reassured the panicked pegasus, “But first tell your Juliet that Starlight was full of jealous and she burned down the wagon. Boom! Problem solved.”

Fuze felt concerned about this. “Why do you want me to lie to her?”

“You are not the smart one are you?” Mephist raised an eyebrow, “Just do as I say!” Fuze started to get suspicious over the lizard pony, thinking that his brother was right.

“What if I say no?” Fuze asked.

“Do you know what happened to poor Juliet, she died,” Mephist told Fuze, “And the soul of your Juliette is in my hands.”

Fuze’s heart jumped as he threatened him. His wings flared up as he raised a hoof at him. “If you lay one hoof on her I’ll tear you apart with my bare hooves!”

“I don’t have to,” Mephist smiled like he was prepared to tell a joke that only he would understand, “You never asked me why I created this amulet, so why do you think I created it?”

“So you could fake the power of an alicorn. Trust me when I say that I’ll rain down the wrath on my family on you.” Fuze grumbled.

“Read a book, I am a god. Why I would need this power of lesser beings? This amulet is a soul trap, once you put your neck around it, your soul bowed to my will. If I want I could now take her soul, with the snap of my fingers.”

Fuze’s hoof was shaking as he was trying to resist the urge to fight this pony. “So, Book was right, you played me for a fool.”

“Oh no, no,” Mephist put a cold hand on Fuze, “You are a fool, and for me, you were a tool! A key to Starlight’s destruction, and for Mephist’s return.”

Fuze bit his lip, knowing what he had done. “Fine, I’ll lie to her, but if you try to hurt Trixie in any way… No power will keep me from killing you and your partners. Unlike Book, I’d cross that line.”

“You are adorable when you are angry,” Mephist smiled as kicked Fuze’s shadow out to the rain.

Faze was shocked as he felt his own body getting kicked. As he got back on his hooves he saw that the doctor was now gone. Fuze’s heart was aching as he knew that he wasn’t a hero, he was a slave to a demon. All he could do was scream out in rage at the night sky.

Black shield cut log after log with his axe as he started to get old visions, with every log he smashed, he remembered the war against Sombra, looking right and left, he saw his soldiers dying, with the other log, it was the battle vs the changelings, and he saw his mother tried to kill him, forcing him to cut her head with the axe, and the final log, showing his wife killing herself in front of his eyes.

“I can’t imagine what he did to you.” Black turned around to see a bandaged Book weakly leaning against the door.

“What do you mean?” Black shield asked, “What do you mean by ‘he’?”

“I’ve learned to read a pony by their eyes. Your photos showed a happier pony in your youth. Your eyes scream that you have had everything taken from you. My only hint was you reacting to a name, Dr. Mephist.” Book replied, limping his way over.

“It wasn’t taken, it was robbed by the devil,” Black Shield explained to Book as he put the axe next to the chopped logs. “I was at your age, the youngest General at Celestia’s army, earth pony nonetheless. There was no battle I lost, until the war against her sister. Her captain and his men circled, and massacre my men, leaving only me. Before the bat could finish, a reptile pony appeared, he took me from the battle, and he told me that he would give me the strength of thousands of manticores to defeat the bats of Nightmare Moon, I was foolish enough to agree, but when we shook our hooves he told me that 30 years later he would come to claim my soul, and he disappeared, returning me to the area with the monstrous strength.”

“So, he came back for your soul and you didn’t want to pay. Just like Starlight.” Book mused.

“No, I agreed for my soul, 30 years have passed, and I had a wife in Calyps, and a son, I told her about it and she understood. One day he came to claim my soul and I was ready to go. I waited till my son went to bed, and I waited that night, but instead of my soul, he took something else. He took my son!”

Book started thinking about this. “This is why he wants Trixie to die. He wants to make her suffer.” He thought to himself.

“As I heard my son choking by the monster cold claws, I ran to fight him, and he told me that he claimed my soul, for a father’s soul, is inside his child!” Tears fell from Black shield’s eyes as he remembered that night, “Calpys could not handle it, and the demon took her as a new deal. I heard him in our room telling me that because of me, her son is dead, but he would bring her to him.”

Book lowered his head. “And instead he brought her to him, didn’t he?”

“In some way yes. He brought her to him in the afterlife before cursing me to live forever, keeping me away from them!” Black shield turned his face to Book, “If you know what’s good for your family you must keep away from Mephist!”

“He’s after a friend of mine, Starlight Glimmer. From what little I can gather he’s manipulating a halfling to start a war and is trying to trick my brother into killing Trixie. I’ve got to stop him.” Book said as he slowly tried standing up straight.

“No,” Black Shield told Book, “He’s not for war, he wants to return to his power.”

“Then I’ll beat the tar out of him and stick him in Tartarus. He is a master of shadow magic. I studied a bit myself when I started on my quest to be a hero. I can use the light against him. Shadow magic doesn’t work well in the light.”

“You must be insane,” Black shield smiled, “But if you’re going after a god, you will need help. Do you know who are you fighting against?”

“A villain. Probably as powerful as Teric or Discord. Every villain has a weakness, all I need to do is find his.” Book explained as he tried walking to his armor.

“Not him, you are fighting against a god,” Black told him, “Mephist is the son of Grogar and the god of the shadows, after his betrayal, Grogar cast a curse on him to live in the form of a mortal until 1,000,000 souls would be under his will. We need more help than you think against him.”

“Then I’ll help.” They both turned around to see Light with Flash and the kids behind him. “I don’t know what it means to be an alicorn. Whether it means I’m a prince or a god or just some crazy pony. The one thing I do know is that he tricked our brother, and is out for the rest of Ponyville. I’ll throw everything I’ve got against him.”

Book gave a weak chuckle. “That’s how our family rolls. We’re too stubborn to back down.”

“And we are family too!” Fast said triumphantly.

“Is Ponyville still standing?” Black Shield asked, “I had a brother who lived there once, his name Silver Sterling, he is probably dead by now.”

“My grandfather. He passed away about a year ago.” Book said somberly. “He was tougher than nails though. He raised a good son, my dad.”

Pain started to fill Black’s body, the pain of loss returned to his bones as he heard that his little brother died as well, “When the curse will be broken, I will tell him about the stallion you became,” Black smiled and he hugged both Light and Book, “I wish Moon and Calpys were alive to see it.”

Book smiled a bit as he started putting on his gear. Book knew that it hurt to wear the stuff, but the job was more important. “Now for our first problem, I’m a fugitive. I know that I could sneak my way around town, but I need ponies who can talk around. Flash, Light, you two are my best options.”

“Because we’re not criminals?” Light asked.

“Nope, because you’re autistic. Light, you hold a strong standing as a nice, timid guy who’s good with kids. They are more cautious because they are afraid of making you upset. Mephist would have an extremely hard time trying to soil your name. Flash, you’re going to be close to Kirouac and Surprise. Use your pacifist attitude and your calm deminer to keep close to them and keep them at peace.” Book explained.

“Just talk to them and make sure that war doesn’t start? I can do that… maybe.” Flash said nervously.

“What do you ask me to do?” Black shield asked Book as he took his axe.

“We’ll work in the shadows, sowing doubt on the rumors he’s spreading and trying to protect Starlight and Trixie.” Book explained. “Your intel is of the utmost importance.”

“Then we have to do it soon, tonight will be the last day that he could release himself, if he would take the soul, it would be at Nightmare night.”

“That doesn’t leave us with much time,” Book said seriously.

“What about us?” FastFox asked as her sister stood next to her.

“You stay here!” Black shield ordered the young girls, “He will kill you if he sees you.”

“Wrong. Light made it clear that they were going with him to Ponyville. Light, take them to dad and have them go with him to Dodge Junction for his family to get together. You know that he does that every year and always invites whatever family is willing to come.” Book said.

“That is a bad idea, and we must decide now,” Black Shield turned to Book, “Where is this Star Glimmer?”

“Starlight is in Ponyville. She lives with Princess Twilight. Whom I just learned hates me.” Book said, mumbling at the end.

“There is another Princess?” Shield raised his eyebrow, “Then Mephist would kill her first after he will return to be a god. We must leave now.”

Light turned to Flash. “We need to leave the girls here. Have them stay with your mom for tonight. I’ll make it up when this is all over.”

Flash cringed at the idea. “First of all, you’ve never met my mom. Her name is BloodCrusher. Enough said there. And second, what will I say to anybody who asks? I told the how town that I was taking them to ponyville for nightmare night!”

“Yeah! We’ll feel bad if we get left behind.” Shy said.

Light smiled as she said that. “They’re not feeling good. That’s a good excuse.”

Both of the girls lowered their ears, and each hugged the other.

“Very well, take them and meet us here, then we will leave to Ponyville before the sun will set down.” Black Shield took a shield out of his closet and he threw it to Book.

Light nodded. “I’m sorry girls. I wish we could have had fun as we planned. I promise that I’ll make it up tenfold.”

The girls sniffled a bit. “Really?” Shy asked.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Light vowed. “Now you know that I’m coming back.”

The girls both hugged Light tightly, not wanting to lose him.

“Very well, but about your brother,” Blach shield turned to Book and Light, “If Mephist has him then he will not listen to reason. He must die.”

Book lowered his head. “I can’t kill Fuze… I can’t even kill. It’s… my morals.”

“I am sorry Book,” Black shield put a hoof on his grand-nephew shoulder, “I wish there was another way, but Mephist’s words are too powerful than you think, if he controlling him, then the boy is doomed.”

“I’ll do it.” Light said, earning gasps from the others. “I only… raged once, and that leveled a part of the forest over a fight with some timberwolves. I can kill Mephist.”

Flash looked worried at Light as he pulled his daughters close to him.

A few tears ran down Light’s face as he turned to the girls. “I’m… I’m sorry that you need to see me like this, but as long as that pony lives my family will never be safe… You’ll never be safe. I… I pray that you’ll never have to make the choice that I must make.”

Flash nodded, as his girls hugged and snuggled his legs.

“Mephist is mine, boy!” Black Shield told Light, and his appearance grew with red flames in his brown eye, “I believe that you could kill him, but he took too much from me. I will kill the devil. Give this old stallion this last wish.” Black shield asked as his terrifying appearance shrunk.

Book was still against the idea of killing his younger brother. “What if we can disable him? I’ve beaten hundreds of goons to a hospital, why can’t I do that to Fuze?”

“Very well,” Black Shield nodded, “But if he would break free, or try to do anything that would put others in danger, you know what you have to do.”

Book nodded, praying that it doesn’t come to this. “We’ll also have to deal with Surprise. He’s found ways around my armor. I’ve landed a few hits on him, but he’s probably back on his hooves by now.”

“That I would leave to you boy,” Black Shield turned to Light, “A halfling will not be a match to an alicorn.” Black Shield took a sword from his closet and gave it to Light, “This was belonged to my son, Moon, use it to kill him.”

“I was born a unicorn, and I stick at magic. I’m only a half-decent flyer because of my fear of heights. I do have one thing going for me though,” Light said as he grabbed the blade. “Some Earth pony muscle.”

“Then keep the fight on the ground, boy. If he goes up, you keep the shields up, if he goes left, blast him, and if he goes right, blast him.”

Light nodded as he let his horn glow. In a flash of light he was found wearing a set of medieval armor. “I got this thing for a costume for Nightmare Night. Good to know that the hand me downs are good for something.”

“Boys this night will be remembered as the worst night of your life, I will not lie, but this night will save more than you think, no just ponies, or changelings, this is the fight of Equestria.”

Book nodded. “The world is now in our hooves. I always said that my life is forfeit to my job. Let’s face the darkness head-on.”

“Alicorn, are you ready to take life, I will not ask you to kill if you not ready.”

Light took a deep breath as he looked at the sword. “I need to protect the ponies I love, and if this is the only way to do it… I will.” Light gave a soft chuckle to hide his tears. “It’s funny, I was so ready to take my own life, and now I need to take somebody else’s. What will the kids think of me after this is over?”

Black Shield put a hoof on Light and he smiled, “You remind me of him so much. Do not think too much in the fight, just feel the fight, that’s the best advice my father told me.”

Flash placed a hoof on Light’s back as well. “I’m a pacifist, but I guess it’s ponies like you and your brother that allow me to be that. I trust you, and this will never change my trust in you. Remember why you are still living.”

Light nodded as he took a deep breath. “I don’t live for myself, but everybody else. To help others is the greatest reason to live.”

Book nodded as he pulled on his mask. “Well then, let our enemies tremble before us, we stand in their way now.”